January/February 2020
2020 FOLLOW YOUR
passion Dr. Jennifer Hennessey & Others Share Their Purpose Driven Life
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ON THE COVER
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2020 WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE IS DR. JENNIFER HENNESSEY WITH "ANGEL" AND "HERO". DR. HENNESSEY SPENDS MUCH OF HER LIFE HELPING ANIMALS IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. LEARN MORE ABOUT HER LOVE FOR HELPING OUR FURRY FRIENDS, ALONG WITH OTHER HOUSTONIANS IN OUR FEATURE.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hello new decade! For people my age, the arrival of 2020 seems hard to imagine given the lofty predictions of life on earth and beyond that were purported in our youth. When I was a kid in the late 60’s, it was believed that by 2020 we would be living like the Jetsons in space city with our own personal space craft and robots for butlers! Although the pace of technology has been impressive, it still doesn’t compare to those technologically advanced ideas of the future from 50 or more years ago. For fun, I looked up a few other predictions for the 21st century that didn’t quite come to fruition. Here are a few that I found amusing: 1. Inventor, science writer, and futurist Arthur C. Clarke predicted we would live in flying houses that could relocate on a whim. 2. John Elfreth Watkins Jr., the curator of mechanical technology at the Smithsonian Institution, believed that C, Q and X would be eliminated from the alphabet. 3. Michael J. O'Farrell, founder of The Mobile Institute noted, "In the pending nanomobility era, I predict telepathy and teleportation will become possible by the year 2020—with both commonplace by 2040.” 4. Here is my absolute favorite because it made me giggle at the ridiculousness of the prediction: In 1994, the RAND Corporation, a global think tank that's contributed to the space program, said they expected us to have animal employees by the year 2020, noting that "it may be possible to breed intelligent species of animals, such as apes, that will be capable of performing
manual labor," wrote Glenn T. Seaborg of the corporation's prediction in his book Scientist Speaks Out. "During the 21st century, those houses that don't have a robot in the broom closet could have a live-in ape to do the cleaning and gardening chores.” Really? At the rate we’re going there won’t even be any apes left by 2040 much less using them to do our gardening! Well, that of course is poking a little fun at what 2020 was SUPPOSED to look like from the vantage point of decades ago, but getting back to reality, the dawn of a new year and new decade is a natural opportunity to reassess our lives, come to grips with the time line of our life and decide if we are moving in the right direction or if we need to make some changes (big or small). Having been on earth a while, I’ve gotten to the age where I recognize what is truly important and it’s not “things” or “status” but rather, it’s relationships, servitude and feeling an inner fire for our purpose...in other words, living with PASSION and pursuing our PASSION. With that thought in mind, I was inspired to find some local Houstonians that are fulfilling their PASSION as it relates to the animal world. You’ll meet our cover girl, Dr. Jennifer Hennessey, who lives with strong purpose everyday and has accomplished more in her young years than we can even list in our feature story. She’s quite an inspiration! I hope you enjoy learning about these individual journeys with hopes that you too will live with PASSION in 2020!
PHOTO BY PRUDENCE ALLWEIN, PHOTOGRAPHYBYPRUDENCE.COM.
HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 Art Director: ANDREW BURWELL
© Copyright 2016. Reproduction or use without written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Houston PetTalk does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Houston PetTalk does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible. All photos ©copyright depositphotos unless otherwise stated.
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It was New Year’s Eve and my ragtag crew of compadres decided we should try something NEW instead of going to our usual watering hole, the Salty Dog. In their infinite wisdom, they reasoned that New Year’s Eve was about trying something NEW. I didn’t want to dampen their spirits by pointing out that this lively excuse to party was the ringing in of a New Year–a time to celebrate with friends, reflect on the past year and look with renewed hope to the coming year–or some such Hallmark Card hogwash. After much jawboning, the decision was made to go bowling. I hate bowling because I would like to keep my digits but I reasoned they have junk food and libations. So, yes, I’ll go. I will even wear the goofy shoes and not complain. I mean, we are trying something new, right? We piled into Muffy Macallister’s wreck, I mean car, and headed to Big Rack Bowling Alley. I figured I might not be allowed in a place called Big Rack but apparently this is a bowling term, not a reference to bust size. Next we went through the unsettling process of paying for shoes worn by hundreds of other strangers and as always, they only had 3 shoes in size 6. I have never been able to figure this out when I bowl. Where is the other shoe? Is it like the socks that get eaten by the dryer? Do they only have unipods and tripods coming to bowl? Geez…what am I supposed to do wearing 3 shoes? Penelope put her gigantic brain to the problem and got me a 4th shoe in a size 7. That’s awesome. Now as I trot down the lane to let loose of this insanely heavy object, one shoe will be left at the ball return machine.
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Again, I decided to keep with the “try something new” attitude and not complain. As I looked around at the other bowling
patrons, I discerned this was not a Mensa club meeting. Have you ever looked around at the people at a bowling alley? Well, don’t. First, I came to the conclusion that underwear are not required at this establishment. I saw more cracks than Mick Jagger’s face. Second, it was quite apparent that there are two kinds of people bowling - those that are aficionados of the sport and those that had nothing else to do. For those of us that don’t bowl, we usually end up at a bowling alley when there is absolutely no other form of entertainment we can think of. It’s kinda like, “Well, we could go bowling or we could stab ourselves with forks.” As I sat there in my 3 shoes concentrating on not complaining, I realized that this sport does have one redeeming quality–you can eat while you play. I mean, you don’t see a tennis player say “Hey, let me finish this chicken wing real quick before I serve.” I like that part. Finally it was my turn and as I approached the ball machine, in my 3 size 6's and one size 7 shoe, Cousin Hortense said, “Henrietta, do you need the bumpers?” I had a sudden mental picture of her tail being stuck in her mouth with blunt force but I maintained my composure. “No, HORtense”, I re-
plied, “I’m going to show you mutts how it’s done." I realized instantly that my bravado was a bit aggressive given my limited bowling career but some things just can’t be helped. I took off down the lane and of course my shoe fell off again, as I tried my best ballet-like motion, letting go of the ball, aiming for that army of mocking white gizmos way in the distance. My ball rolled about two feet before entering the GUTTER! The worst of all outcomes…I had to turn and face my so-called friends who didn’t even try not to laugh. “This is a stupid sport and there is something wrong with my ball…it’s crooked," I muttered. Maybe I should have said yes to the bumpers. And a coloring book and sippy cup. So much for trying something NEW. After a mammoth sized dispute over the score (basically no one in our brainiac group could figure out how to calculate it), I announced it was time to get the real party started and head to the Salty Dog where we could ring in the New Year with a proper cocktail. The next time the idea of bowling comes up, I think I'll just say, "Spare me!"
Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorized by Desiree Lonsway
Henrietta
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UNLEASHED CITIZEN'S FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION
ROYAL NIGHT
C
rowns and tiaras were worn by many of the record sold- out crowd of 650 guests at the 33rd Annual Celebrity Paws Gala A Royal Affair, Reigning Cats and Dogs, in November at the Royal Sonesta. The evening offered something for everyone, including a highend Wine Pull, silent and live auction and a raffle for a 2020 Forester Subaru, donated by West Houston Subaru. Gala Chairs Frances Moody and Tony Buzbee and Honorary Chairs Brook and Julie Brookshire were thrilled with the results of a record $790,000 raised...which will go a long way in caring for the thousands of homeless pets that pass through the doors of the CAP shelter!
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2019 CAP Elite Honorees. Photo by Jacob Power.
Delaney, Reagan and Rilley Bond with Hazel, June & Speedy. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.
Edna Meyer-Nelson with Beau. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.
Gloria and Frank Mezaros with Lance McCullers Jr. Photo by Jacob Power.
UNLEASHED
ANNUAL CHARITY FASHION SHOW
FASHION FOR GOOD
O
Photos by Linn Images
n November 14th and 15th, Fashion For Good (formerly known as Fashion X Houston), hosted two evenings of fashion shows at Silver Street Studios presented by Lincoln and Fair Trade Safaris, to benefit local charities. Houston's Fashion For Good is the leading fashion event producer in Texas and beyond. With a heavy emphasis on emerging designers, Houston's Fashion For Good aims to connect these designers direct to consumers and boutique buyers--creatively and effectively. Fashion For Good supports sustainable and ethical brands, as well as runway inclusion, giving back, and accessibility.
2030 West Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098 We are a small-animal practice focused on preventative medicine. • Wellness Care • In-House Diagnostics www.westalabamaanimalclinic.com • Dental Care • Surgery • Hospitalization • Separate Cat/Dog entrances
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Hello, Neighbor.
We’re opening our second Emancipet clinic in February 2020, bringing affordable, accessible veterinary care to 77017. To learn more about our services and how this second location will double our yearly impact, visit emancipet.org/houston.
NEW CLINIC opening soon!
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UNLEASHED GREATER HOUSTON GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG RESCUE
JINGLE BELL BARK N BREW
B
Photos by Jenna Friedrich
eautiful German Shepherd Dogs filled the patio at Karbach Brewery in celebration of GHGSDR's annual fundraiser, the Jingle Bell Bark N Brew. Santa was on hand for lots of fun photo ops while supporters enjoyed great brew flavors , snatching up great silent auction items and vying for raffle prizes. Adoptable German Shepherd Dogs were also strutting their stuff in hopes of finding the perfect home for the holidays! Mark your calendar for next year's event in December...it's tons of fun and helps raise money for GHGSDR to care for and re-home German Shepherd' Dogs in need.
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THE DISH
CALENDAR
HEY PARTY ANIMALS...DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN ADD YOUR OWN PET RELATED EVENT TO OUR EVENT CALENDAR ONLINE? GO TO WWW.PETTALKGOFETCH.COM/EVENT.
Events 01.11.20-01.12.20 CHARITY CAT SHOW 10:00am-5:00pm 9:00am-4:00pm George R Brown Hall E 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010 Don't miss an exciting time at the Houston Cat Club Charity Cat Show where over 250 pedigreed cats and kittens will be on display, as well as everyday household pet cats. Enjoy breed judging, agility, shopping and more! Adult tickets $13, military and seniors $9, children ages 5-12 are $4, free for children 4 and under. See page 24 for details.
01.25.20 HOUSTON K-911 RESCUE PAWSOME FUNDRAISER Cabo Clear Lake 2513 Nasa Rd. 1 Seabrook TX 77586 1:00pm-6:00pm Houston K-911 Rescue is a non-profit organization with a mission to address the immediate crisis of street dogs that
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face poor health and danger. Help them raise money to provide these dogs with a safe haven, rehabilitation, and foster homes. Enjoy both live and silent auctions, special guests of honor, and live music at this dog friendly event.
01.25.20 HERPS CONROE EXOTIC REPTILE AND PET SHOW The Lone Star Convention Center 9055 Airport Road (formerly FM 1484) Conroe, TX 77303 Love scaly critters? Come check out ther the largest reptile expo in the Houston area and now the largest venomous show in Texas! Buy or browse thousands of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, feeders, and supplies in this two-day event. The show has combined HERPS with the Texas Venom Experience for an extra 5,000 square feet of educational space.
02.28.20 YAPPY HOUR Bagby Park 415 Gray Street Houston 77002 United States 4:30pm-6:30pm Yappy Hour is a pet friendly happy hour held monthly in Midtown Houston’s Bagby Dog Park. This doggie playdate features treats, giveaways, cool contests, prizes and a chance to make new canine friends. The event is FREE and open to the public! Bring your pooches to the Bagby Park dog run for a fun time every fourth Friday of the month.
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THE DISH HHS PROVIDING FREE MALE CAT NEUTERS FEB. 19
FIX FELIX FOR FREE H ouston Humane Society’s Annual Fix Felix For Free event is offering FREE neuters for male cats only at their Wellness Clinic by appointment only February 19. Over 700 cats will be accepted with a limit of 5 per person. Domesticated and feral cats qualify, with proof of current rabies vaccination required to be shown by law, or the vaccine can be purchased at the time of surgery for $7. To make the deal even sweeter, HHS is offering an Add On Microchip for just $5. To book an appointment, visit houstonhumane.org or call 713.433.6421. This is the purr-fect opportunity to neuter male pets or feral cats in your area. Make your appointment TODAY because the slots go fast!
POLICE & PETS
PROMOTING ADOPTION P
aws and Patrol is a partnership between BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions and The Houston Police Officers’ Union showcasing some of the wonderful shelter pets waiting for forever homes at BARC. Each week, Officers from various departments within HPD are paired up with an adoptable dog, cat, puppy or kitten for a fun-filled photoshoot. These photographs are then shared on various social media outlets to encourage the public to adopt a shelter pet. A big shout out from PetTalk to the Houston Police for supporting our animal community!
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GALVESTON MARDI GRAS
IT'S A PET PARTY! T
he 22nd Annual Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Mardi Gras Parade is set for Sunday, February 23. Registration and check-in will begin at noon at Pier 21. The pet costume contest begins at 12:15 (don't miss advance registration). Tickets for the "Cats Eye View Party" are $25 if purchased in advance; $35 at the door; 4 and under, free. Both the pet parade and the Balcony Party events benefit exclusively the Galveston Island Humane Society (GIHS). Registration may be completed online at galvestonhumane.org.
ESCAPE THE NORM A NEW WAY TO YOGA
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THE DISH
GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER JANUARY 11-12
Providing Compassionate Care to the Companions in your Life
FULL SERVICE VETERINARY CLINIC Dr. Cynthia Aswad • Dr. Bryan Ping Dr. David Thurmond Dr. Sadie Bowling • Dr. Michelle Hessell
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HOUSTON CAT CLUB 67TH ANNUAL SHOW T he Houston Cat Club Charity Cat Show returns January 11-12 to the George R. Brown Convention Center and is one of the largest shows in the country. Over 250 purebred cats and kittens from around the world plus beautiful household pets will compete for awards given by eight expert judges from the Cat Fanciers’ Association, the world’s largest registry. We want everyone to have a good time so visitors have lots of activities to enjoy at the show. In addition to the judging there will be cats running the agility course periodically both days, cat costume contests both days, and a Meow Mall full of the best variety of toys, treats, and gifts for cats and those who love them available anywhere. Children are welcome at our special children’s education area and nearby is the Meet the Breeds ring where you can get up close and personal with some of the purebred cats. Expert veterinary advice from the Animal Medical Center of the Village is provided both afternoons at our Ask-the-Vet table. The Cat Fanciers’ Association Feline Historical Museum is making a special appearance
at the show. The museum, located in Alliance, Ohio, preserves the history of the cat and the cat fancy and rarely travels to cat shows. Some of the felines at the Houston show are there just to be adored…and petted. These special Pet-Me cats are always a hit with the visitors. The household pets are also popular and are judged on health and beauty. The purebred cats are judged on a written standard of conformation for their breed. Up to forty two breeds may be represented at the show. The Houston Cat Club Charity Cat Show is a 501(c)3 all-volunteer organization that supports Citizens for Animal Protection, The Houston Humane Society, and The Houston SPCA. In addition, animal shelters from Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Montgomery counties receive free space at the show to present their beautiful cats for adoption. The Houston Cat Club has donated almost a million dollars over its 66 shows. All the donations come from visitor admission fees. It you can’t join us at the show, please consider making your tax deductible donation to support the Houston Cat Club charitable work at houstoncatclub.org. See page 20 for show details.
IS THERE ANYTHING CUTER THAN YOUR PET? OF COURSE NOT! WE AGREE, SO WE MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU TO PROVE IT...PLAY WITH US ON INSTAGRAM AND LOOK FOR OUR THEMED CONTESTS. YOU SHARE WITH US, WE SHARE WITH OUR READERS. EVERYBODY WINS!
#SHAREWITHUS! BIG SMILES 1. @lailathestaffy BEAUTIFUL SMILES #kidsofinstagram #kidsdog #kids #kidswall #kidstoys #dogsofinsta#dogs_of_ world #dogsonadventures
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2. @ fourleggedfurcrew All the love all the time. 3. @ buellerthecatahoula_ Happy Monday Vibes Enjoying the beautiful fall weather Photo credits: @duhh.daniela
'TIS THE SEASON 4. @mia.pippa.poms Countdown to Christmas!! Mom and dad are going all out for my first Christmas and bought me an Advent calendar! Check out my stories for a video of me opening day 1 5. @loveakasha When you can fit into your boyfuriends clothes! (and it makes the perfect color coordinated pic.) I think I may need to borrow his bow too You can find us at @ rodistrict by the Christmas tree near Hop Doddy @stewie._.boo@ kimcheethemaltipoo
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6. @maceyandmax momma & auntie put up the xmas tree but don’t think we forgot about turkey day ! 7. @labsbythepool Dear Santa, we’re ready for you! 8. @duke_and_darla Mommy says I’m an amazing snow model – Darla 9. @danteboy05 Found myself a cute reindeer. Hooman took long enough to post a season post lol but I definitely have enjoyed ya'lls post, so freaking adorable. Happy Holiday's furfriends
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SHARE THE LOVE
ENTER THE LOVE TAILS PHOTO CONTEST SPONSORED BY WEST HOUSTON SUBARU: FEB. 1 TO FEB. 15
W
e all love our pets, and this February we want you to SHARE THE LOVE by showing us your "Tails of Love" with a photo! Submit a photo of your pet (or with your pet), showing the bond you share. From kisses and hugs to kibbles and bits, we want to see your best representation of the shared love between pets and people.
The winner will receive $200 Gift Certificate to the CAP Wellness Center for veterinary services, plus your winning photo will be published, along with finalists, in Houston PetTalk Magazine! The contest entry period is February 1-15, and voting will take place from February 16-23. Public voting determines finalists, and the winner will be selected by West Houston Subaru. Be creative and SHARE THE LOVE!
ABOUT WEST HOUSTON SUBARU When it comes to shopping for your next vehicle, West Houston Subaru encourages you to shop with a team that's committed to putting your needs first. With an onsite Service Center, their team members work to satisfy your every
automotive need. From helping you shop for your next vehicle, to providing you with the maintenance needed to keep it on the road, their team has got you covered. West Houston Subaru also takes great pride in the Houston community. That's why, when it comes to participating in local charities and community events, they are very generous! From working with Citizen's for Animal Protection to providing our area's less fortunate children with holiday gifts via the Salvation Army Angel Program, they are committed to making positive contributions to our surrounding communities.
Nine Locations Proudly Serving the Greater Houston Area!
Full-Service Grooming • Healthy Pet Foods Gourmet Baked Treats • Stylish Essentials • Plush & Tough Toys Collars & Leashes • and Much More!
College Park • Conroe • Katy • Richmond • Sienna Spring • Sugar Land • The Woodlands • West U
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Dr. Jennifer Hennessey & “Tensai" 30
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FOLLOW YOUR
passion IN 2020 Intro by Michelle Mantor, Photography by Prudence Allwein of photographybyprudence.com unless othewise noted
I
t’s not only the dawn of a new year, it’s the dawn of a new decade! Just the sound of 2020 makes me sit up and take note that it’s a significant year and with that comes opportunity. And by opportunity, I mean a chance to reassess our lives and adjust at a moment that naturally feels as if TIME is asking for us to renew ourselves and offering us the chance to live our best life. In other words, live your IKIGAI, a Japanese concept of living with purpose that's introduced in this feature. To kickstart the year, we are focusing on the powerful word PASSION and exploring the journey of some Houstonians that are focused on their PASSION as it relates to animals and living a purpose-driven life. Enjoy their stories and I hope you too are inspired to live your IKIGAI!
Meet Dr. Jennifer Hennessey, a local veterinarian who founded Animal ER of Northwest Houston as well as Wonder Pet Rehab & Recovery, a physical rehabilitation clinic for pets. Jennifer’s love of providing health, support and care for the animal community has resulted in her winning numerous awards for her outstanding community service and excellent business skills. In addition to caring for pets in her two clinics, she is also a founding member of the Harris County Animal Cruelty Task Force where she works alongside
law enforcement to help animals that are in medical distress. She has gone so far as to even adopt one of them, Marvel, who was very thankful for Jennifer’s saving hands that fixed her all up! Amazingly, Jennifer also finds time to do things such as collect donations for animals in natural disaster situations like Hurricane Harvey and deliver them to disaster centers, including driving donations to other states in need. She also has achieved great success in becoming a pro-athlete body builder where she has won
numerous titles. Add to this impressive list the fact that Jennifer heads to Alaska each year to be a veterinarian for the Iditarod, she is a mom to 2 awesome children and she serves on various Boards and Committees in her profession. What a super-star of talent and servitude! Thank you to Jennifer for sharing her story of living with PASSION and fulfilling her dreams through hard work, commitment, a will to serve others, and a desire to make the world a better place for animals.
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By Dr. Jennifer Hennessey
I
have been asked hundreds of times the question of “why did you become a veterinarian?” It probably wasn’t until my experience as a veterinarian on the Iditarod sled dog team in 2019 that I fully understood the magnitude and impact of my career choice and how I had found my “glass slipper". What could a Texas veterinarian learn from Alaskan sled dogs?! Lesson one is that the profession is full of endless possibilities and ways to help pets and people, far and wide. What a beautiful career with bountiful, creative ways to care for others! Secondly, the Alaska veterinary team experience solidified that by putting your best effort forward to make anything successful means being fully committed, having the determination to sustain against unpredictable circum-
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times, shifts were a flutter of organized chaos but I felt in tune and where I was supposed to be amongst the flow of the team coordinating care to help decipher therapy needs. I discovered what I needed to do in life and fell in love with a profession filled with serving others, both 2-legged and 4-legged, and one where every effort counts in the formula to saving a life. Aside from the office work, running my own “Animal ER” (which is one of only a handful of existing privately owned emergency veterinary hospitals in the nation due to the demand of the shift duties), I play mom to 2 beautiful kids, wife to an Army Sergeant Major, am a certified veterinary journalist with monthly interviews on Houston Life, and I am now a dually licensed veterinarian in both Texas and Alaska. I'm also obtaining my master’s certificate from the University of Florida in Veterinary Forensic Science. As a 2005 graduate of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, I've been fortunate in the opportunities that have allowed me to follow my path as the only college graduate and doctor in my family; and to have a successful practice, which I opened in 2014. In addition to my practice, I am a founding member of the Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce where I am on-call 24/7 for our officers who seize a critically injured animal or one that has lost its battle with neglect or cruelty (then my job is forensic work to help our law enforcement seek charges and punishments if a crime was committed against the animal). As the recent recipient of the 2019 National Animal Care and Control Association’s “Diane Lane Memorial Award”, I am humbled and proud of my volunteer work as the lead veterinarian for our Taskforce, contributing time and service to our law and animal enforcement officers as they respond to hundreds of calls and attempt not only to retrieve injured animals, but pursue justice on their behalf. Some of the greatest career achievements thus far are not trophies or accolades but are times of rallying for our community during moments like Hurricane Harvey where Animal ER and my skeleton crew maintained 24/7 care for 11 days straight, as one of the only veterinary facilities that could remain open. We serviced families from all over Gulf Coast, worked to house over 200 displaced animals as flooding began, and became the
Photos provided by Dr. Jennifer Hennessey
stances, making work a daily adventure, trusting your gut and experience, and that nothing is accomplished as well as it is when you are a synchronous team. As an ER veterinarian who would choose no other way to spend a day (or night), veterinary medicine is about serving and sacrificing for others. I never looked at the role as a “lead” but every shift, I prep to lead my team though unpredictable caseloads and know without a doubt at the end of the day, lives of both animal and human will be changed because of us. I have to hide my fatigue, rally my team and buffer waves of client emotions (or my own emotions) all while orchestrating my symphony of medical care from treatments, surgery or the toughest moments of end of life care. My passion particularly lies with the opportunity to render comfort (sometimes words and other times hugs) to the family members who are no less than an inseparable unit when I manage a patient. The family trusts me to be their guide through medical recommendations, and above all to be honest and compassionate as they seek my help for their pet. Clearly many of the attributes to being “in the lead” apply to all aspects of life which is where veterinary medicine keeps me well balanced and appreciative for the lessons it teaches me. It may come as a surprise, but I actually didn’t discover my calling to become a veterinarian until college although helping animals in need resonated with me even as a young girl. As a child, I remember being filled with stress if I saw or heard of an injured or ill stray who had no love to comfort them or a means for medical treatment. I feel passionate that I found my true purpose in life and that the profession of veterinary medicine decided for me (rather than the other way around) that I would become a vet, and an ER vet at that. The summer before entering college at UT Dallas, I ended up taking a job at a small animal clinic. I was still not convinced of my path until a staff veterinarian recommended that I apply to a veterinary emergency clinic and then my life changed. My first shift clenched it for me as it fit my inner desires to be of help to animals in need of urgent medical support, but also delivered an unexpected gift of being the person that a worried and emotional family met to help comfort and support them in their crisis with their pet. During high caseload
Receiving Award
Cruelty Taskforce Case
Collecting & Dispersing Donations
Educating the Next Generation
Helping Animals Heal
Saving Lives
donation hub for veterinary supplies as rescue efforts mounted to get Houston back up and functioning. This effort won us the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award. The following year in 2018, after watching the effects of Hurricane Florence on the East Coast, my hospital again rallied with our Houstonians and collected goods which I personally drove to North Carolina distributing donations to shelters in need in 7 states which landed us the amazing award of Lone Star Small Business (SBDC) WomanOwned Business of the Year. Giving back is paramount to me and I feel strongly about educating the next generation on responsible animal care. As such, we host stuffed animal care clinics every month where we doctor
injured teddy bears, teach kids about pet health and motivate our future generation of veterinary professionals. We won the 2019 Stevie Business Award for our community relations and efforts. Refusing to allow my passion for facing challenges to plateau, I create continual self-growth opportunities to “step outside of the box” aiming to always strengthen myself. I am now an accomplished professional bodybuilder and fitness model, a Mrs. Texas Legacy title holder and now the current reigning Unites States of America’s Mrs. Alaska, competing for the Unites States of America’s Mrs. title in Feb. 2020. I plan to map out more public impact roles as a voice for the voiceless on a state and national platform advocating for animal cruelty laws and educating my colleagues about
their value to local law enforcement as contributors of care for cruelty cases. By caring for the hearts at both ends of the leash, my duty as a veterinarian allows me to inspire future pet owners and veterinary professionals to embrace the gifts that come with serving the community and the animal lovers within it. Day or night, when duty calls and in honor of a commitment to care for “all creatures great and small,” I am living a dream by discovering how to give purpose to my passion. To quote my Aggie plaque which stares back at me on weary shift nights: “On land and in the sea and air God ruleth over all–but He entrusted to man’s care all creatures great and small, not much is said about the Vet, their praise sung by few, not many honors do they get, but they are doctors too.” Houston PetTalk Magazine
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passionateabout Goat Yoga
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eet Rachel Henson, the founder of Goat Yoga Houston, one of the coolest ways to stretch your body and connect with nature! As Texas' original Goat Yoga, the classes max at 30 people/20 goats. Goat Yoga Houston provides classes at many locations as well as private events. Find the schedule and all about Goat Yoga Houston at goatyogahouston.com
What is your Passion as it relates to animals? I’ve always been around animals and feel comfortable with them, but I have really bad anxiety around people. My passion is to help people through the help of animals and goat yoga definitely delivers on that. When I have the animals around it seems easy to come out of my shell. I find a lot of people are the same way and the classes offer an opportunity to meet new people. When did you identify your Passion? I was on lamb and goat committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
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when someone approached me about going to Oregon, where goat yoga originally started, to get on a 5K person waiting list for goat yoga. It aligned perfectly, as I had my 200hr (RTY) Ashtanga certification. I loved it and thought my love of yoga and goats combined was the perfect, natural combination. We started with two goats, Ray Charles and Conway Twitty and prayed for the best! At the time I started the company, we were the first in the southern United States and in Texas. Since then, it has grown into a nationwide trend! Where do you get the goats? The goats are all pets and come from momma goats we’ve raised. We do adopt a lot of triplets, the runt at least, and bottle feed them to keep them healthier than the mother normally can. What is the fun or purpose of goat yoga? It is a great way to incorporate your physical workout with a twist. Goats jump on flat surfaces to reach vegetation or to get away from predators, so we incorporate poses that make the yogis that flat surface! Also, many people find companionship with the animals and come to just love on them which is fine. I like to say the yoga is optional but the goats are not! Why do you think it’s become so popular? I think it’s become so popular for a few reasons. First, many people in current times don’t have access to farm animals or ani-
mals other than cats or dogs. Secondly, you get a workout and get to play with animals which makes your workout go by quicker. Third, it’s just fun and a great group activity. Nothing seems to bring people together like a love for animals and everyone comes in not knowing what to expect, but by the end they have bonded and do group poses. What type of classes do you offer? Our classes are for ages 9 and up and we do book private parties. The goats are all ages including babies (kids). We move locations in Houston and other areas, so it’s best to check the schedule online for time, dates, and locations near you. Also, we do travel all across Texas and even into Oklahoma!
Goat Yoga Houston Founder, Rachel Henson
passionateabout Conservation
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eet 12 yr. old George, 15 yr. old Luke, and 17 yr. old Aiden Johannson, the founders of 3SonsFoods which they created as a way to support their wildlife conservation goals. What is your Passion as it relates to animals? 3SonsFoods began from our passion to save Rhinos from extinction. It started with Luke who would ask his friends to bring donations for Rhino conservation efforts in lieu of gifts to his Birthday parties, and then we started selling our Diablo Verde, creamy cilantro sauce, to raise more money and bring awareness. That fundraiser turned into a business with the mission to make the world a better place through entrepreneurship. Our future plans are to bring in more products and help more animals When did you identify your Passion? Luke realized his love of rhinos at the young age of 4, as he connected to the
strength of the Rhino. At 6 years old, George knew that he wanted to help dolphins, his favorite animal when he first swam with dolphins in the wild off the coast of Florida. Ayden’s passion of protecting habitats against invasive species and conserving the environment where animals thrive, was discovered out of his love for his first dog at age 7 yrs old. He found out that dogs were descendants of wolves and really liked how they looked and how independent, free, nurturing, and fierce they are. What steps have you taken to pursue your Passion? We created, 3SonsFoods, a business that focuses on manufacturing really good natural food for a cause. A portion of our proceeds are donated to help put a stop to the illegal poaching of Rhinos and in 2020 (“EAT DIABLO SAVE RHINOS”) we will be launching our newest sauce called Diablo Vegan to help save Wolves from extinction (“EAT DIABLO SAVE WOLVES”).
What have been the results? Amazing! We have raised awareness and over $2500 for Rhino conservation efforts and we look forward to helping wolves in the future as well. What would you say to others about pursuing their Passion? Just Do it! And Never Give Up!
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animals. I help assist them in anyway I can, but more specifically with any medical needs they may have after service. My passion goes further by creating awareness for those who do not understand the importance or cost of these needs. When did you identify your Passion? I’ve always had a passion for animals, but it wasn’t until I started working with these magnificent K9’s that drove me to make my passion and dream a reality. Animals have no voice, and often get forgotten about after their purpose is served. I wanted to stand up and be their voice. I wanted to help them get what they deserve for their service and sacrifices they made. What steps have you taken to pursue your Passion? I created P.A.W (Preserving All Warriors) which assists with the care and support
passionateabout Healthy Dogs
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eet Melissa Parsons-Doherty, a Board Certified Veterinary Oncologist and founder of Pearland Animal Cancer Center who shares her life with 2 German Shepherd Dogs and 5 cats. What's your Passion relating to animals? I believe that all animals deserve a chance to live their best life and we are here to help them with that. Veterinary medicine, and specifically veterinary medical oncology, gives us a chance to help ensure a good quality of life for as much time as our pets have. We may not be able to cure cancer in each case, but we know we can manage the disease and ensure a great quality of life. When did you identify your Passion? In the last year of veterinary school. We did not have an Oncologist but I was drawn to helping those clients and patients navigate their way through the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. I appreciated the bond they had and the owners drive to do what they could to extend their pet's life. It felt
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good to help people and pets in some of the most challenging times of their lives. What steps have you taken to pursue your Passion? After veterinary school, I completed internship and residency training in Medical Oncology. Over time, I worked in the private practice setting as well as the University setting. It was working at an Animal Cancer Center that allowed me to appreciate the bond that people formed in the waiting room and with the staff and veterinarians that was different from before. It was this realization that lead me to open the Pearland Animal Cancer and Referral Center earlier this year. By dedicating a place to people and their pets with cancer I hope to be able to support them through their cancer experience and fulfill our mandate “Making life better. Longer.” What have been the results? This is a new concept–a place to focus on cancer treatment in animals. People appreciate the time we spend to make
of retired Law Enforcement and Military K9’s. What have been the results? I created a design that stands tall among others and is recognizable throughout the K9 community. This design is more than an image. It stands for support of our four legged K9 warriors who’ve been responsible for protecting citizens on the front lines as well as they serve alongside of some of the most elite branches of the United States Military. Since creating P.A.W, I’ve been able to give various donations towards numerous retired K9’s through Mission K9 Rescue. I’ve created numerous fundraisers which have aided in collecting funds to pay for medical emergencies with these K9’s.
sure they understand all the options for diagnosis and treatment. We then tailor the plan to their specific pet. We continually work with pet owners throughout their pets personalized treatment to ensure that they feel quality of life is good and that we are on the right path. We regularly receive feedback about and appreciation for our compassion and time we spend to make sure all the questions are answered. What would you say to others about pursuing their Passion? Go for it! Sometimes the path to your passion is not straightforward but continue to focus on what you love and you will get there. You only have one chance in life and you never want to have regrets looking back.
Photo provided by Melissa Parsons–Doherty
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eet James Love, the founder of P.A.W. (Preserving All Warriors) which cares for and supports retired law enforcement and military K9's. James shares his home with Bram, a Belgian Malinois retired from 7 years of patrol/ explosives and Kato, a Belgian Malinois currently in service. What is your Passion as it relates to animals? I have a strong belief we can always do more to help these
Photo provided by James Love
passionateabout retired Law Enforcement & Military K9’s
passionateabout Becoming A Veterinarian
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eet Grace Pernoud, a student at Memorial High School who shares her home with a Goldendoodle named Toby and cats, Mathilda and Oliver. Grace dreams of a career as an animal doctor. What is your Passion as it relates to animals? I really want to become a Veterinarian. When did you identify your Passion? I have loved watching videos about Veterinarians since I was 9, like The Incredible Dr. Pol. My first cat Pixel was my best friend and when he became ill it made me think about how animals can’t speak for themselves, their owners and Veterinarians have to do what is best for them. What steps have you taken to pursue your Passion? Last summer I spent 14 days in Australia shadowing zoo keepers and work-
ing with different animals. I have also shadowed a Veterinarian and observed spay-neuter surgeries. I am hoping to find a Veterinarian that will allow me to volunteer and observe them this summer for a few hours. I am also hoping to attend Texas A&M’s summer Vet Camp this coming summer. What have been the results? I feel even more confident that I will become a Veterinarian. I loved watching the spay-neuter surgeries and it confirmed for me that I may want to pursue emergency medicine or work with pets that need limb amputations. What would you say to others about pursuing their Passion? There is a lot of pressure on high schoolers to know what they want to study in college. I don’t think it is normal to really know what you want to do for your career at age 16 or 17. I would tell
other teens to be open minded and explore a lot of options. Spend your summers volunteering in a field you are interested in.
passionateabout Photography
Photo provided by Angie Guera
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eet Angie Guerra, who shares her home with rescue dogs Jenny, Sandy and until recently, her dog-love Rocko. By day, Angie is a Compliance Analyst for a background screening firm and during evenings and weekends, she is the sole photographer for ARGPhotography. Q: What is your Passion as it relates to animals? I've always been an animal lover, and especially a dog lover. I feel very connected with them. So when I started to connect my love for photography with my love for animals, it was a match made in heaven. And the best part of it all is that I'm able to give back and help the animals.
When did you identify your Passion? Early in life, but it really took hold late in my teenage years when I first brought home Rocko (he is the R in ARGPhotography) and learned everything about owning a dog. I wanted to take photos of him non-stop and one day I bought a DSLR camera and my passion for photography took off from there. What steps have you taken to pursue your Passion? Practicing non-stop, learning everything I can about photography to always keep improving, and getting involved with different rescue groups. Over the years, I've grown my presence in the rescue community by helping anyone, any rescue group that reaches out, with free photography to help their animals get adopted. I love to help anyone and everyone that I can. What have been the results? The results are ADOPTIONS! It puts me
over the moon each and every time I see a dog or cat get adopted that I took photos of. When I hear comments that the adopters saw the photos I took and fell in love, it makes it all worth it! That is the priceless feeling that I'm hooked on, and what drives me to keep making a beautiful difference, one photo at a time. What would you say to others about pursuing their Passion? Always listen to your heart. Others around you, including friends and family, may not understand at first. But stay positive, stay open-minded, and as long as you are following your heart, you are doing the right thing. And most of all, stay true to yourself. The hardwork and patience will pay off.
passionate about Volunteerism
I
By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center often say that I’m working harder now as a volunteer president of a board of directors than I ever did as a paid employee. The hours are long, the work can be frustrating, and worrying about keeping our doors open is very stressful. But all it takes is for me to hold a tiny, helpless little opossum in my hand or witness the release of an animal back to the wild and I know I’m following my PASSION. A sense of calm and purpose takes over and I feel great about what I’m doing. People volunteer for a number of reasons. Some are retired and are looking for something meaningful to do. Some are students wanting to learn more about their chosen field of study. Some feel it’s a way to pay it forward and some don’t have a choice. I think we would all agree that helping others makes a person feel good but did you know that studies show there are health benefits from volunteering? According to Rodlescia Sneed, a public health research associate at Michigan State University who has studied the impacts of volunteering, “In my own work I’ve shown it’s linked to improvements
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in factors like depressive symptoms, purpose in life, and feelings of optimism.” The benefits of volunteering (per Non-Profit Hub) include: » Boosts self-esteem » Expands your connections » Makes you feel good » Contributes to a longer life - volunteers encounter greater longevity and less frequency of heart disease. It can also slow the progress of Alzheimer’s and other memory loss diseases. » Gives purpose – as we age, we sometimes feel isolated but no matter who we are or what our age is, volunteering can give our lives new meaning. » Combats stress – studies actually show the more you volunteer, the happier you become. Your body releases dopamine in the brain when you help others. » Sets a good example – as parents, our greatest hope is that our children grow up to be caring, giving adults. What better way to make that happen than to set a good example? » Teaches new skills – we see it all the time. Volunteers are afraid to pick up a bird, a squirrel or opossum. With
encouragement and instruction, they gain confidence and learn not only to pick them up but to feed them. You can see the pride on their faces! Don’t let fear stop you from volunteering. If you feel passionate about something, find a way to incorporate it into your life through work, hobbies or volunteering. If volunteering is your path, I can guarantee you that every non-profit knows how valuable volunteers are. Volunteers provide their time, energies and talents to help non-profits fulfill their missions. Most non-profits have limited budgets and volunteers are the reason many non-profits are able to operate and keep the bills paid. If animals are your passion and you would like to volunteer, TWRC invites you to care for injured, orphaned or displaced wildlife. Or, if you don’t want to handle animals but would like to recruit fellow volunteers, work in fundraising or design brochures, we need you. All you have to do is give Berri a call at 713.468.8972 and get started living your passion in 2020!
Livingwith By Michelle Mantor
A
Passion
re you familiar with Ikigai? If so, good for you! I was not aware of its meaning until I heard about it through a friend. I was fascinated enough to save the graphic and keep it front and center on my computer desktop. While working on this issue featuring Passion, I thought it would be a cool concept to introduce to those that may not have heard of it. Ikigai has its origins in Japan and means "a reason for being." The word "ikigai" is usually used to indicate the source of value in one's life or the things that make you want to get up and go each day. I think of it as the motivation
to trudge through things we don’t want to do in order to get to the things we do want to do. For me, the trudge is accounting, which has to be done for the PetTalk to function, but the real Ikigai for me is spreading the word about animal care and wildlife conservation. The word translated to English roughly means "thing that you live for”. According to Wikipedia, "Each individual's ikigai is personal to them and specific to their lives, values and beliefs. It reflects the inner self of an individual and expresses that faithfully, while simultaneously creating a mental state in which the individual feels at ease. Activities that allow one to feel ikigai are never
What you LOVE
PASSION
What you are GOOD AT
MISSION
What the world NEEDS
IKIGAI
PROFESSION
and purpose
forced on an individual; they are often spontaneous, and always undertaken willingly, giving the individual satisfaction and a sense of meaning to life." In looking at the graphic, which I think is spot-on, you’ll see that passion, profession, mission, and vocation converge to create Ikigai. It’s no secret that if you can do what you love for work and find it meaningful, not only to yourself but to others, your long-term mental state is one of peace and contentment. Striving for ikigai is a beautiful goal to have in one’s life…may you get closer to yours in 2020 and beyond!
THERE IS NO PASSION TO BE FOUND PLAYING SMALL —IN SETTLING FOR A LIFE THAT IS LESS THAN THE ONE YOU ARE CAPABLE OF LIVING. -NELSON MANDELA
VOCATION
What you can be PAID FOR
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20 20
It's Rodeo Time!
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Hair B Gone
No need to explain this one! Find your Pet Glove at ebay.com.
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Handmade Personalized Valentine Gifts Shop on-line or at our store ~ 2368 Rice Blvd in the Rice Village. 10 am - 6 pm Wednesday- Saturday, Closed Sunday~Tuesday
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SHOP WITH LOVE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
THE TOUGHEST DOG BED MADE
Tired of buying new dog beds that can't withstand your pup's chewing or just simply can't handle regular wear and tear? Gorilla Dog Beds, a local Houston company, offers the toughest bed you can buy. They even offer a 125 Day Chew Warranty! If you are looking for high quality, durable (think triple-stitched), then check out their many options, from Is there a dog lover on your LOVE XS-XXL at gorilladogbeds.com. It's LIST for Valentine's Day? Let them the perfect way to say I lOVE YOU wear their love for their pooch with for Valentine's Day with the gift of pride in a comfy cotton tee by SassyNcomfort! Southern on etsy.com.
TEE UP SOME LOVE COLLAR ME RED Your pet will never question your LOVE when you dress them up in this glamorous adornment for the special parties, photos or just because! Find this unique gift for the furry friend in your life by Luna Pet Jewelry online at sofiajoseph.net.
LOVE YOUR PET? KEEP THEM SAFE! Whether you got a puppy for Christmas, have an escape artist or simply want pets to stay in certain parts of the home, Invisible Fence Brand has many product options to help you achieve safety and harmony in your furry-filled home. See AD on page 23.
THE ART OF LOVE
The fence is invisible, the love isn't.
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World renowned artists Gillie and Marc are now offering a beautiful and thoughtful jewelry line, including the two characters they are best known for, Rabbitwoman and Dogman. Telling the tale of two opposites coming together to become best friends and soul mates. the unlikely duo is available in a sterling silver necklace. The Rabbit and the Dog stand for diversity and acceptance through love making this artwork the perfect find for the passionate animal lover in your life. Purchase locally at Jack Rabbit Gallery on online atjackrabbitgallery.com.
OUR PASSION IS
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
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VCA ANIMAL EMERGENCY HOSPITAL SOUTHEAST CALDER ROAD
y
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Hobbs Rd
Le a g u
Edgebrook Dr
Calder Dr
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FM 5
Gul
Mon-Thu 6:00 PM - 8:00 AM Fri 6:00 PM - Mon 8:00 AM 24 hours on Holidays
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VCA Animal Emergency Hospital Southeast Calder Road
VCA ANIMAL EMERGENCY HOSPITAL SOUTHEAST
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281-332-1678 1108 GULF FREEWAY S., #280 LEAGUE CITY, TX 77573 VCAcalderroad.com
Fwy L a Porte
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Mon-Thu 6:00 PM - 8:00 AM Fri 6:00 PM - Mon 8:00 AM 24 hours on Holidays
10 610
South Fwy
VCA Animal Emergency Hospital Southeast
10331 GULF FREEWAY HOUSTON, TX 77034 VCAemergencyse.com
59
Link Rd
HEALTH or other neurologic disease Activity, appetite, and anxiety alterations: decreased social interaction with people and/or animals, decreased play, visible anxiety, changed interest in food (either eating more or less) » May also be caused by: age-related changes, pain, endocrine disease, or heart disease Canine cognitive dysfunction is a disease that is progressive and irreversible. Although we cannot stop the process, we can attempt to slow the progression and make your pet more comfortable during this time. Please contact us at Senior Paws if you feel your pet may be showing some of these symptoms. Check out our article in the next issue of Pet Talk where we will discuss supplements and diets that can be used to help with canine cognitive dysfunction. »
CANINE COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION
C
Alzheimer's for dogs
byline
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anine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) is a disease that is comparable to Alzheimer’s Disease in people. Your veterinarian may also refer to this as dementia. It is hard to know how many dogs are affected because it is largely overlooked. There is an increased risk of this disease in patients older than 8 years of age, however any breed or gender can be affected. There is no test for CCD. It is diagnosed by ruling out other diseases and questioning the dog’s caretakers for signs and symptoms. Listed below are symptoms that can be seen with this disease: » Disorientation in the environment: spatial confusion, going to the wrong side of the door, getting stuck in corners, becoming lost within a well-known space
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Dr. Julia Spade, DVM, cVMA, CHPV seniorpaws.vet
www.houstonpettalk.com
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or vocalization May also be caused by: vision or hearing loss Interactions altered with humans: failure to greet, avoidance, hiding or aggression May also be caused by: pain or discomfort Sleep-wake cycle disturbances: increased sleep during the day, night pacing, restlessness, impulsive actions, panting, paranoia, or vocalizations May also be caused by: diseases of the endocrine system or pain House soiling: soiling in new or unusual locations, well-trained dogs now having accidents May also be caused by: urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, primary kidney disease, behavioral elimination,
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HEALTH
F
leas are some pretty annoying pests to deal with, and more importantly, they can affect the health and wellbeing of your pets. Fleas generally prefer four-legged hosts to humans. However, if your family pet has fleas, it’s likely that your yard, house, and furniture will be targeted next. If you want to get rid of these pesky little critters, you need more than just some simple tips on bathing your dog. Fighting a flea infestation isn't a one-and-done battle, it's a war that could take days, weeks and maybe months. Why? It’s thanks to the flea's life cycle, its abilities and habits. It's not an
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Flea Collar: A flea collar is designed to repel fleas and cause them to die or move to the tail and fall off.
GETTING RID OF THOSE PESKY FLEAS Control and prevention easy job, but here's a few ideas you can use to get rid of them.
KILLING FLEAS AT THE SOURCE
byline
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It makes no sense to treat the entire house if your pet is going to keep bringing fleas in. Most flea infestations stem from our pets so the first step is treating the source of the problem as soon as possible. » Flea Bath: You’ll want to get a flea treatment meant for your type of pet and follow the directions on the package. » Flea Powder: Powders can be purchased that will kill fleas. These flea killers need to be specifically formulated for your pet, and they can be very helpful. After the bath, rubbing flea powder into the coat of your animal will help.
Dr. Laura Noaker Vergi, vergi247.com
www.houstonpettalk.com
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Flea Control: There are tablets that kill fleas over the short-term. There are also flea treatments that contain a flea poison that absorb into the animal’s blood stream to kill ticks and fleas.
THE HOUSE If your pet has mature fleas, your home can become a nursery. This means that you have to tackle the problem from all angles in order to truly eradicate the infestation. Some people use a flea bomb, which almost guarantees the entire eradication of the flea population, but an insecticide is not a flea control you want to cover your home with if it’s not a necessity. This is a method that will distribute a poison to kill the fleas. So you may want to choose an alternative method or be sure to follow the instructions and leave
the home for a time as directed. Either way, use a powerful vacuum on floors, upholstery, mattresses and cushions. Cracks are usually good hiding places for fleas, eggs, larvae, and cocoons. Use a vacuum with a bag so you don’t have contact with its contents. A steam cleaner is another excellent method for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. The combination of high heat and soap is the enemy of fleas in all stages of life. Don’t forget to wash all bedding, especially your pet’s, in hot water. Dry it at the highest heat setting. If the infestation is severe, consider getting rid of old bedding. Unfortunately you're not out of the woods yet. The problem could stem from your own yard, especially if you live in a heavily shaded area, have crawl spaces where wildlife and feral strays might sleep or sheltered enclosures such as dog houses. A good way to test your outdoor flea problem is to put on a pair of long, white socks. Walk around slowly, the fleas will jump on and can be easily identified thanks to the black-onwhite contrast. If treatment is necessary, residual insecticide and growth regulators are sometimes applied. Treatment should always be handled according to directions on the label, and is always best left to a pest management professional. This will help ensure that you, your pets and your family remain safe and bite-free while enjoying the outdoors. For more flea prevention ideas, we recommend that you contact your primary veterinarian.
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HEALTH
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ouldn’t it be nice if your pet could easily tell you if they’re in pain? Dogs and cats are amazing animals and can tolerate a significant amount of oral pain before they actually act differently. Obvious signs that could indicate a painful lesion in the mouth include bad breath, dropping food, or hesitancy to play
Figure 1 is from a dog that presented for a routine dental cleaning. Radiographs were taken to plan the extraction of the loose incisors and an un-erupted tooth was found below the gum line. This un-erupted tooth was causing a dentigerous cyst and required extraction. If left alone, the cyst and resulting bone loss would have continued to enlarge and there would likely have been more teeth
IS IT BAD BREATH OR SOMETHING MORE? The importance of routine dental cleanings and radiographs
Figure 1
with toys. In addition to these symptoms, dental disease can also contribute to worsening heart or kidney disease. A quick oral exam may reveal heavy tartar and inflammation or worse, broken or loose teeth. Unfortunately, it is very hard to determine the full extent of disease on physical exam. We routinely need to rely on sedated oral exam and dental radiographs to see all of the problems. With the introduction of dental radiographs to many veterinary clinics, we are now able to diagnose and treat many conditions that may be hiding below the gums. Below are a few examples of dental abnormalities that were not visible on physical exam and were only uncovered after taking radiographs.
byline Dr. Cynthia Aswad, The WellPet Center Veterinary Hospital
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face it, how many pet parents are able to look in their cat’s mouth routinely? Resorptive lesions are common in cats but difficult to see on awake animals. These are very painful erosive lesions and usually visible along the gum line once the cat is sedated. Radiographs will still help to classify the type of resorptive lesion and plan for the necessary extraction (figure 3). As you can see in these examples, routine sedated dental exams and clean-
Figure 3 ings are very important to maintaining your pet’s oral health. Most dogs and cats over three years of age can benefit from annual cleanings. February is national pet dental health month and is a great time to take advantage of specials while helping to end your dog or cat’s silent suffering due to oral pain.
affected. Figure 2 was also an unexpected finding during a routine dental cleaning. This
Figure 2 tooth appeared normal on oral exam and probing, but this tooth root abscess was found only after taking dental radiographs. If this had not been found and treated, this dog would still have a painful condition in the mouth and no way for us to know until this became a large painful swelling in a few weeks or months. Cats also seem to suffer in silence. Lets
A QUICK ORAL EXAM MAY REVEAL HEAVY TARTAR AND INFLAMMATION OR WORSE, BROKEN OR LOOSE TEETH.
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I
s your dog truly aggressive or is she just terrified? How can you tell? 99% of the calls professional dog trainers receive about “aggressive” dogs ultimately turn out to be solely related to fear. The technical moniker is fear aggression but I prefer the term fear reactivity. When the word aggression is used, most people automatically assume that the dog means to cause harm, is unpredictable and is ready to attack. When a dog is fearful, she means no harm, she just wants the scary thing(s) to go away. Unfortunately, many owners don’t recognize their dogs are afraid and they end up punishing the dog for what they believe to be bad behavior. Don’t fall into the “Lassie Syndrome” and assume that all dogs are the same. It is pretty silly that so many people expect
their dog to understand the English language, to love being touched and hugged, to love every person and dog they meet and to not be afraid of anything we perceive to be non-threatening. We must remember that the important thing is what the DOG perceives as scary. Here’s the thing: If I am afraid of big, hairy spiders, I don’t care how friendly the spider is or how much you try to convince me that this particular spider “loves people.” I still don’t want that scary monster coming at me or touching me. If I try to get away, but you insist on forcing the spider on me, I will probably scream, maybe cry, perhaps lash out at the spider or possibly even you (which at this point, you probably deserve). Would you then get angry and frustrated with me and possibly hit me, yank on my collar, alpha roll me? I should
AGGRESSION VERSUS FEAR Telltale signals of the canine species
byline By: Stephanie Bennett, CPDT-KSA www.believeindogtraining.com
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WHEN A DOG IS TRYING TO COMMUNICATE FEAR, THEIR BODY LANGUAGE IS ALMOST ALWAYS CRYSTAL CLEAR. hope not! The bottom line is, we cannot punish fear out of a dog. It doesn’t make any sense. We would never do that to a friend or child. Why is it okay to do it to our dogs? When a dog is trying to communicate fear, their body language is almost always crystal clear. If your dog is afraid, you will undoubtedly notice things like ears pulled back flat against her head, severely tucked tail, cowering, moving in slow motion, half moon eyes, mouth closed, lip licking, panting, pacing and even urinating. Our poor
dogs try so hard to communicate with their body (since they can’t speak English) and when that doesn’t work, they will try to communicate their fear in the only other possible ways they can: growl, bark, bare teeth, air snap, or bite. Amazingly, these signs are often misunderstood and either ignored or punished. Pet owners continue to try to force the dog to “be a good dog” and accept the scary monster. Understandably, it can be disturbing and embarrassing when your dog exhibits any of these behaviors to friendly strangers, kids (toddlers are especially terrifying), other dogs and so forth. However, if you have a fearful dog, it is up to you to learn how she communicates and help her feel more confident in the world. Imagine how awful it must be to live with such fear. The best way to help our fearful dogs is by utilizing desensitization and counterconditioning methods. This is behavior modification work, so obviously it takes time and patience. There is no quick fix. It is highly recommended that you seek help from a certified, professional dog trainer (APDT. com).
WHEN WORKING WITH A FEARFUL DOG: 1. NEVER punish a dog for growling. What?! Read it again: NEVER punish a dog for growling. When a dog growls we should praise her heartily and thank her for warning us that this situation is making her very uncomfortable and frightened. If we punish a dog for growling, she will eventually stop warning and if she is threatened or frightened enough, she will go straight for the bite. 2. When encountering scary monsters, don't force it, but don’t ignore it. Learn proper desensitization and counterconditioning methods. 3. Fear is contagious. When a scary monster appears, you must put on your best happy, silly, jolly routine. If you don’t feel like a fool, you’re not doing it right. 4. Don’t allow anyone to force themselves on your dog. Remember the hairy spider analogy? Always let your dog make the decision to interact at her own pace. This will require a lot of communication on your part, as people are harder to train than dogs. 5. Teaching a dog rock solid basic obedience skills always helps behavior modification work. 6. Decipher which treat your dog considers to be the best. Use this most delicious, super high-value treat and then make it available only when scary monsters appear. 7. If you have a new puppy, socialize, socialize, socialize! With proper puppy training, we can nip fear issues right in the bud before they ever even begin.
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BASIC NECESSITIES FOR A FIRST AID KIT FOR DOGS Here are some of the necessary first aid supplies to stock your emergency kit with. Medical Records Print a copy of medical and vaccination records, as well as emergency contacts, to keep in your pet’s first aid kit. It will help to have this paperwork with you if you need to get your pet to an emergency vet as soon as you get out of the woods. Keep a hard copy of the medical records and put them on a USB drive that you keep with you, as well.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG GETS HURT ON THE TRAIL
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Preparing for a hike...
ometimes your dog’s favorite place to be is on a hiking trail in the backcountry with you. Like everyone else, it’s critical to take care of your pet to keep him healthy and prevent injuries on the trail. But, occasionally, the unexpected happens when you’re miles away from civilization, and your poor pooch gets hurt. Preparation is vital so that you can take care of your dog until you can get him to a veterinarian. It’s also vital to consider the risks that pets face when hiking in the woods. It’s important that you know how to treat possible injuries.
byline Mark Hedman, CEO of LA Police Gear lapolicegear.com
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PREPARATION BEFORE THE HIKE Caring for human injuries is similar to canines, but dogs have a different anatomy than ours and also require some alternative care. A first aid kit for dogs is easy to make and doesn’t require many items. You can put the necessary medical supplies in with your first aid kit or simply carry what your pet needs in a plastic Ziplock bag. Keep it with your camping supplies, so you don’t forget it the next time you and your pet go for a hike.
Medicine Keep specific medications in your medical supplies. It’s important to have antibiotic ointment on hand in case your pup gets a scratch or cut on the trail. This ointment acts as a barrier against germs and bacteria. Since even minor scrapes and cuts can become infected, it is critical to always treat them on the trail. Also, include saline solution to use as an eyewash, antihistamines such as Benadryl, and antiinflammatory medication. Hydrogen Peroxide While hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning minor cuts, it’s also helpful if your dog ingests something toxic. It induces vomiting so that your dog rids himself of the toxin. Never give your pet hydrogen peroxide without contacting a professional for the proper instructions. You can always keep a copy of the instructions in your first aid kit. Blanket or Towel Sometimes your pet may panic when they injure themselves. You can wrap them up in a blanket or towel to calm them down and keep them from biting you when you assess the injury. Choose a microfiber towel because they are super absorbent. Grooming or Wet Wipes Wipes are excellent for cleaning blood or dirt off a wound so you can see it. They’re great for accidents in the car and for generally keeping your pet clean—because dirt, debris, and feces are laden with parasites and bacteria.
General First Aid Supplies General first aid supplies include: » Saline solution » Gauze » Tweezers » Cotton swabs » Bandages » Medical tape You should also bring a collapsible food and water bowl, food or snacks, and poop bags. Bring a comfortable dog harness and leash for challenging trails when you need to keep your pet close.
While their fur coats protect them from many things, they are prone to get stung by insects such as bees. Your dog may experience discomfort and redness or hives where they were stung. They may also experience swelling of their muzzle or face, regardless of where they were stung. Itching is a symptom that appears later. If you can see the stinger, remove it with tweezers. Give your pet Benadryl or its generic version, diphenhydramine. The dose is one mg for every pound your dog weighs.
RISKS AND COMMON INJURIES TO LOOK FOR
Strains and Sprains Dogs are much more graceful than we are, but they can still strain or sprain a limb. While they have three other legs to support them, there are some ways to make them more comfortable until you can get them to a vet. Some symptoms of a sprain include: » Completely picking up their leg or limping » Swelling of the injury site » Discomfort when you touch the injured area » Deformity—this is rare but could mean there are damaged ligaments or a broken bone It’s important to remember that before you assume an injury is a strain or sprain, check their feet for a wound or foreign body stuck between their paws. These types of injuries are more common than sprains and strains. There are first aid courses for pets that are incredibly useful if you’re going to go hiking with your dog regularly. You should know how to provide basic medical care to your pet while you’re out in the woods with them. Now you know what to bring and the risks to look out for when out on the trail. Here’s to happy and safe hiking with your dog.
Once you have your first aid kit, you’re ready to hit the trail with your dog. There are several risks to monitor and prepare for while you’re out hiking. Foot Pad Injuries Dogs hike “barefoot,” so they’re susceptible to foot pad injuries. The most common injuries are bruising and abrasions. Treatment depends on the location and type of wound. Thoroughly check your dog’s paw and gently wipe the dirt and debris off with a wet wipe. If there’s a wound, flush it with clean water and bandage it with medical tape and gauze to keep it clean and dry. Hiking can take a toll on your poor canine’s feet and, perhaps, the solution is a sturdy pair of dog boots. Many dog boots are made for high-performance and tough terrain. They’re often made of breathable mesh for maximum ventilation while keeping the debris and dirt out. Dog boots are perfect for the pup that goes hiking often. Also, make sure to keep your pet in shape. If you’re going to hike frequently, regularly exercise with your pet. Canines who walk routinely are much less likely to injure their pads because they’re tough—like humans who walk barefoot and build up calluses. Either let your pet wear the boots right away or save them for later in the first aid kit.
Make a Difference By Honoring A Wonderful Life! HONOR A LOST PET by making a tax deductible donation to the Harris County Veterinary Medical Foundation in their name. Your gift helps provide valuable information on pet medical and humane issuesto other pet parents.
To Donate Please Visit
www.HCVMF.org
Insect Stings Our four-legged friends are curious by nature and love to sniff and paw at things.
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SMART DOG IN A SMART HOME A Tale of Technology
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enedict Wellington, aka Bennie, wakes up like all the other ordinary kennel trained Boston Terriers. However, he is a bit spoiled by his surroundings. His parents, Jaclyn and Donnie, just happen to own a smart home technology company. They provide home automation systems in Houston and are known for some of the most advanced technology available. Have you ever heard the howl of a Boston? Those who aren’t familiar might think he’s in horrible pain! Sometimes Bennie is far too anxious to get out of bed in the morning and hollers like the world is ending. Jaclyn calmly reaches for the intercom on her night stand and calls his room. “Bennie… Bennie, hush… it’s not time to get up yet.” He calms right down and she didn’t even have to get out of bed. Thankfully the lights in that area of the house come on gradually at 6:30 AM, just before
byline Donnie Boutwell, CEO, Media Systems mediasystems.com
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everyone comes downstairs for breakfast. Our middle daughter, Rylan, is usually the first downstairs to let Bennie out. She makes sure that the alarm is disarmed and lets him out the back door. Since it’s dark, the motion activated lights come on for him to find his way in the yard. When Bennie is ready to come back inside, the Luma camera over the back porch sends an alert to Jaclyn’s iPhone that he’s waiting patiently at the door. He’s usually quiet and thankfully doesn’t scratch on the glass like less civilized canines. Bennie is a creature of habit. Thankfully, the automatic dog feeder dispenses meals promptly at 7 AM and 7 PM each day. Routine is very important to him. When everyone is out the door for work and school, we tap the Away button on our Crestron lighting control system. It turns off all of the lights in the house, except for the ones we want left on for Ben-
nie, it sets the security alarm, and turns the family room TV on to Animal Planet for Bennie to have something to watch. Our alarm doesn’t use motion sensors, by the way. That’s important when you have someone home guarding the house. Sometimes during the day, Bennie likes to paw up to the front windows to see the neighbor’s cats. I think they’re taunting him, but at least they have each other for company. If he gets too rowdy, Jaclyn gets an alert from the Furbo saying that he’s barking. She can even see what he’s up to by the built in camera. She calms him down by talking to him through the app and tosses him a treat. If we’re away from the house for too long, we can let Bennie out the automated doggie door that is controlled from the Crestron app. We can even watch him on the cameras while he’s out playing. When everyone is home from school and work, he gets the most activity playing with the girls and running around the yard. Once the girls are off to bed, the Crestron system turns all the lights in the common area to the Late scene and Bennie curls up in Jaclyn’s lap for some late night snuggling. Shades and drapes close automatically as the day comes to an end. When the TV and McIntosh amplifiers turn off in the Sitting Room for the night, there’s a distinctive clicking that Bennie has learned means it’s time for bed. His ears perk up and he rushes to the back door to go out to potty one last time. When he’s ready, he darts in and heads straight for his bed.
IF WE’RE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE FOR TOO LONG, WE CAN LET BENNIE OUT THE AUTOMATED DOGGIE DOOR THAT IS CONTROLLED FROM THE CRESTRON APP.
Website
HOUSTON'S ULTIMATE PET DESTINATION Under New Management
D byline
oggy daycare has come a long way from chain-link fence kennels, especially at Kickapoo Ranch Pet Resort - a distinctive luxury resort hotel dedicated to pampering dogs and cats. The resort is located on 40+ acres of beautiful countryside in northwest Houston, Texas, and offers a variety of innovative services and amenities such as luxury guest accommodations, countless leisure activities, customized pampering, spa, and grooming services, training, bioenergy relaxation session, and day camp. “I think our dog had a better place to stay than we did,” one reviewer writes. Although the resort is mainly for pets, pet owners also have the opportunity to stay
kickapooranchpetresort.com
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in one of their luxury guest casitas if desired - especially beneficial for those who want to rest after engaging in an immersion training program with their dog and a professional trainer. The resort is owned by professional dog trainers and long-time pet resort operators, Jason and Dianna Young. The couple took the opportunity to purchase the Kickapoo Ranch Pet Resort and moved to Waller from the Pacific Northwest with their family to operate the luxury resort for dogs and cats. “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to put our
expertise and passion for animals to work here,” said Dianna. “We look forward to serving this wonderful community and to continuing the super-high standards and the great vision for which this resort has become widely known.” The Youngs had operated a successful boarding kennel and dog-training center on an island in Northwest Washington state’s Salish Sea, a facility that has been voted by the public “Best Kennel” in the region every year for the past eleven consecutive years under their guidance. Jason is head of operations “I’m responsible for creating a great place to work and an amazing atmosphere for our clients”. Until recently he and Dianna also operated a dog day-care facility in Seattle, which they sold in order to free themselves to move out of that region in search of other opportunities. Together they have more than 40 years of combined canine expertise. Kickapoo Ranch Pet Resort also makes transportation to and from the resort smooth and simple with their “Bark & Ride” pet shuttle. Pets ride in a Pro-Master van designed specifically to transport pets to the resort safely, comfortably and conveniently, and pet owners and dog trainers can ride in a Mercedes-Benz. They’ll even pick your dog or cat up at your door and bring him or her home during normal business hours. Whether your dog is active and enjoys exercise and playtime, or prefers relaxation and pampering, surely there is something for every dog to enjoy. Head to the website for a virtual tour and you’ll see that Kickapoo Ranch Pet Resort is certainly Houston’s ultimate pet destination!
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DON’T LET OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN
KEEP YOUR DOG DOWN HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR DOG? Easily gets tired or lags behind on walks
Has trouble getting up from a resting position
Is reluctant to run, play or climb stairs
Has gained weight in the past year
Limps or appears stiff after exercise
Inflammation in the joints causes pain and cartilage damage which can lead to stiffness and decreased mobility.
Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your dog’s joints today.
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FINDING RESOLUTION
I
Can Equines Help?
am a goal-oriented, list-making individual. It's how I'm wired, and it has helped me be productive and successful in many ways. However, being goal-oriented doesn't always work so well when building relationships. What if the other individual doesn't have the same goals as you do? This has been the case many times in my life, and my tendency was to bulldoze over them with my lack of concern for their goals. My goals were better, more thought out, more important, etc. What does that do to this relationship that I valued to work on so much? It completely undermines the whole thing! So, how did I learn to stop this destructive pattern in my relationships? Horses! How many of you have tried to get an animal that weighs over 1000 pounds to meet your personal goals? It's not easy. Yes, it is possible to force them to do many things, but can you catch them easily the
byline By: Shannon Birkelbach, Five Horses, LLC, www.fivehorses.com
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next day? Do they really want to have a relationship with you after you have met said goals? Mine didn't. Mine ran away and fought many things I tried to “teach”. What did it take for me to listen to the horse's thought on our relationship? An unplanned dismount is the nicest way I've heard it phrased. When a horse goes to bucking, it is pretty clear it doesn't respect your leadership. A wise man once asked me what happened before that buck. I answered, “Lots of little things that I ignored, actually.” I'm too old to ignore those little signals anymore. It hurts to hit the ground with that kind of force! As I've learned to listen to horses better, it has also helped me listen to people better. Have you ever asked a friend what they want to receive out of the relationship you have? Do they have needs that aren't being met? If they aren't treated respectfully and valued, they may not stick around.
Setting goals is still helpful, especially in helping me think of the steps to help myself achieve them. I just want to make sure I am not ruining relationships along the way. So, my goal setting looks different now as I make sure it includes the friends I value the most. These are a few of my relational goal ideas for the next year. They are all oriented toward preventing those blow ups, like my horse gave me, with one of my friends or husband. Be a better friend by: 1. Stopping to question myself when feeling annoyed or offended- “Is really that important?” 2. Plan monthly dates to build relationships. 3. Check in with my friends to find out their needs, before they ask! 4. Be more available by being less BUSY- say no to more things, so I can say yes to important ones. 5. LISTEN better- friends are giving early signs of needs, but we are distracted with our own. Shannon Birkelbach works at Five Horses, LLC in Waller, Texas. To find out more about how horses can help you and your relationships, check out the natural horsemanship program as well as the equine assisted learning workshops at .fivehorses.com
AS I'VE LEARNED TO LISTEN TO HORSES BETTER, IT HAS ALSO HELPED ME LISTEN TO PEOPLE BETTER. HAVE YOU EVER ASKED A FRIEND WHAT THEY WANT TO RECEIVE OUT OF THE RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE?
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Conservation Corner Houston Zoo 2019 Saving Wildlife Successes
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very visit to the Houston Zoo helps save animals in the wild. When guests visit the zoo to see animals like the gorillas, whooping cranes, and sea lions, they help save their wild counterparts around the world. Thanks to the more than two million visitors coming to the zoo in 2019, the Houston Zoo supported its conservation partners in their efforts to save species in the wild.
HERE ARE SNAPSHOTS OF HOW A VISIT TO THE ZOO HELPED SAVE ANIMALS IN 2019.
Four wild giant armadillos fitted with GPS tracking devices to collect information that will contribute to Brazilian wildlife protection plan.
From Jan. to Sept. 2019 the zoo has reached 1,720 individuals through outreach programming throughout Southeast Texas, helping to save whooping cranes in the wild.
Bird-friendly communities’ program has been offered to guests at various Houston Zoo and Houston Audubon events to empower local Houstonians to build wildlife-friendly habitats in their yards. So far, Houstonians have reported 95 native plants planted, 14 bird feeders and 10 nest boxes installed.
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Photo credit, Stephanie Adams/Houston Zoo; Pati Medici/ Tapir Specialist Group
As appreciative supporters of nature and wildlife, we at Houston PetTalk want to promote education and conservation of the world’s animal population. Each month we bring you information on conservation efforts that are of special interest or have some connection to Houston through the Houston Zoo or other local organizers such as the TWRC Wildlife Center. This issue, we are highlighting the conservation successes of 2019. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.
By: Lauren Wappler, Houston Zoo
Ten wild giant anteaters fitted with GPS tracking devices to collect information that will contribute to Brazilian wildlife protection plan. The Houston Zoo also supported the rehabilitation and release of three orphan giant anteaters.
Houston Zoo funded three grants for local teens in the Galapagos Islands to carry out work to save wildlife, including a sea turtle monitoring project and two plastic reduction efforts to save wildlife like sea turtles and sea lions.
Houston Zoo conservation partners in Rwanda watched over and provided care for 47 wild gorillas in Rwandan forests. They also performed 13 health checks within several wild gorilla families in Rwandan forests.
The Houston Zoo and its partners released 296 Attwater’s prairie-chickens into the wild. These prairie-chickens were released at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, as well as privately-owned lands near Goliad, TX, where they will be monitored over the years.
The Houston Zoo released 985,000 Houston toad eggs in Bastrop State Park. Nearby release sites have seen wild Houston toads from previous releases returning to their original location and laying eggs of their own in those areas–-a win for the Houston toad!
...AND FOR HELPING TO SAVE ANIMALS IN THE WILD! Houston PetTalk Magazine
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It’s no secret that I LOVE animals and in 2019, I LOVED bringing you photos and facts of many fascinating species, from a gibbon to a sloth to elephants and beyond! The goal of my 2019 column, WHY I LOVE ANIMALS, was to educate the public on the value of all species, including their origin, behavior, mating rituals, methods of communication and even their endangered status and how we as people can help save them. Coming in 2020 (next issue), I'll be getting up CLOSE and PERSONAL with specific animals at the Houston Zoo. Love elephants? As an example, you might learn all about Tess, who is the only blonde in the herd (blonde tail and ear hair) and gets very excited whenever she sees her pal, Thai. She’s also mom to Tucker, Tupelo, and Tilly, and is known to steal food from the other elephants (kale and pumpkin in particular). I’ll share funny stories, likes and dislikes and even their adversities so that you can get to know that animal as an individual. Yes, every creature has a story and I’m excited to tell you all about it! I hope you enjoy the column as much as I will LOVE writing about these amazing animals. Share with me in spreading the word. Remember, those who protect and save other animals lead the way in protecting humanity and earth.
PetTalk Publisher & Editor
PhotographybyPrudence.com
Wild about Animals